The television news media continues to report on information handed down from the state capitol. These are small tidbits of information our government wants us all to know!

A good example of this statement is how our state government continues to give the media information regarding ways to reduce air pollution throughout the state.

To combat these problems they’ve asked the private sector to cut back on wood burning, vehicle use, eliminate prolonged idling, and use mass transit as much as possible.

Don’t get me wrong: These are all great ways to decrease air pollution, but what’s our government doing to minimize vehicle use by the state, and what’s the EPA doing to reduce industrial pollutants from our air?

Recently our state government has given their approval for a local refinery to triple their production rate over the next three years. By adding process plants and tripling equipment throughout their facility they will increase air pollution in the valley even though the refinery will deny it.

I know for a fact that plant upsets and over pressuring of equipment increases flaring at refineries, which adds to the air pollution problem and violates EPA standards.

With the additional plants and equipment being operated it’s inevitable that over-pressuring will occur more often, and more EPA standards will be violated throughout the years. In addition, more air pollution will be generated by vehicles delivering products to and from this refinery daily.

Is this our government’s solution for decreasing air pollution throughout the state? Has anyone in government even assessed how the additional traffic being generated by this refinery affect the surrounding area and the community in question? Why hasn’t our state government and the TV news media mentioned anything about the above agreement and how it will affect our state air problem?

Why does our state government continue to allow big business to expand or continue operations (such as Stericycle) knowing that additional air pollution is being generated? Are these decisions being made in the best interest of the people and reduce air pollution throughout our state, or is it the almighty dollar that’s being generated through big business that’s our government’s main concern?

Placing blame on others is our government’s way of conducting business, thus creating chaos where little or nothing ever gets accomplished. Don’t ask the private sector to make all these concessions when state representatives continue to allow companies to add to the air pollution problem.

I realize the air pollution problem is everyone’s responsibility, but our government needs to step up and lead the effort! I have a great how. How about our state representatives asking for ideas from their constituents about the air problem? After all, thousands of ideas are better than 100 coming from our state legislators!